By Robert Imrie

Sean Duffy, the northern Wisconsin prosecutor who wants to challenge U.S. Rep. Dave Obey in November, has picked up the backing of top Republican Party leaders in the 7th Congressional District.

The move could help Duffy raise more money in his bid for the nomination against fellow Republican Dan Mielke in the September primary election and give Duffy an early boost for the fall campaign, Portage County Republican Chairwoman Kathy Olszewski said Tuesday.

"I hope so. We are in this to beat Obey. If it drums up support, I hope it is good for us," she said.

Last weekend at a meeting of the 7th District Republican Party in Wausau, Duffy, the district attorney in Ashland County, won the endorsement 406 to 78, Olszewski said.

"I don't know that it settles the primary," she said. "What it does do is give Sean Duffy support."

Duffy said he was "humbled and extremely grateful" for the endorsement.

Mielke, a Randolph farmer who lost to Obey in 2008, did not return a telephone message Tuesday.

Another top Republican, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the party's vice presidential candidate in 2008, also has endorsed Duffy, despite the GOP primary with Mielke. She called Duffy a "brave soul" and a "daring David" who is taking on a "liberal Goliath," a reference to Obey.

Obey, who has served in Congress since 1969, had a huge cash advantage over both Duffy and Mielke as of Dec. 31.

Campaign finance reports show the Democrat from Wausau had $1.1 million in the bank, compared with Duffy's $220,000 and Mielke's $2,700.

"I've never seen the party more energized and unified," 7th Congressional District GOP Chairman Mike Monson of Antigo said in a statement Tuesday. "I'm confident that Sean Duffy and his message of fiscal responsibility and job creation will lead us to a historic victory this November."

Kristin Ruesch, a spokeswoman for the state Republican Party in Madison, said the early endorsement of Duffy indicates party leaders are serious about winning in November because "everyone knows how vulnerable Dave Obey is going to be."